EU Finance

Peter Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the UK's  (a) rebate from and  (b) gross contribution to the European Union is calculated; and how the formula was used to arrive at the latest available year's figure in each case.

Edward Balls: Details of the UK abatement calculation are given on page 26 of the European Community Finances White Paper (Cm 6580) which was laid before Parliament earlier today. The UK's gross contribution is determined in accordance with the Own Resources Decision (ORD) (Council Decision 20007597/EC, EURATOM of 29 September 2000), details of which can be found on page 3 of Cm 6580. The ORD lays down the four sources of Community revenue, or own resources, details of which are given on page 27 of Cm 6580. The UK's annual contribution to the EC Budget, i.e. the gross contribution minus the UK abatement, is calculated in accordance with these arrangements.